Skip to main content

tv   BBC World News  PBS  March 30, 2011 5:30pm-6:00pm EDT

5:30 pm
>> this is "bbc world news." funding for this presentation is made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, newman's own foundation, the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation, and union bank. >> union bank has put its financial strength to work for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you?
5:31 pm
>> and now "bbc world news." this is "bbc world news america." outgunned and ill-equipped, libyan rebels are on the run. >> we have to join the rebel forces pulling back. they managed to go a short distance up the road before we came under fire. >> hanging on, syria's president and his security forces set out to enforce it. and a million fans are mesmerized as india and pakistan face-off in the world cup.
5:32 pm
well, on pbs in america and around the globe. it's just a few days ago, it seemed that the rebels had the upper hand in libya. now they are on the run. such is the fickle nature of the war. they say without continued help from western powers, the opposition cannot overthrow the government. following coalition air strikes, the rebels had been moving from their town of benghazi, but now have lost a town. >> revolution 101. beginners lessons in using a rocket-propelled grenade. but there is more guesswork and expertise. it the rebels want more
5:33 pm
weapons, and the international community is suggesting they may not get them, but what is missing here is training and leadership -- the international committee is suggesting they may get them. i>> maybe we can do something to push him back, but we cannot do anything this way. >> who is in charge? >> he is, together. it no commander. only together. we make the plan together. maybe he is with us. i don't know. >> you just heard some names of leaders? >> just names. >> some generals have defected to the rebels, but they are not leading from the front. instead of command and control, we saw confusion and infighting.
5:34 pm
something they did not want us to film. the rebels are moving out now. to have been reloading their weapons, reorganized on the side of the road. there has been a lot of singing and chanting and praying, but there is not a sense there has been much planning. there is no sign of anyone being in charge, giving orders. they push forward, but straight into a trap. gaddafi's forces were waiting to ambush them. the tactics are all on their side. with incoming fire, it was time to move. >> keep driving! drive, drive, drive!
5:35 pm
>> we have now had to join the rebel forces. we have managed to go a short distance up the road before they and we came under incoming fire. the firing is continuing now. it was a long retreat. the rebels losing more and more ground, a pattern that keeps being repeated. left to themselves, the pro- democracy fighters are being easily outmaneuvered. just two weeks ago, the international community was wringing its hands about authorizing air strikes on libyan government targets. now is the rebels continue to struggle, they're doing the same about whether or not to arm the insurgents. this conjures up memories of osama bin laden in america.
5:36 pm
>> with libyan rebels in retreat, despite coalition air attacks on gaddafi forces, the question of sending more modern and powerful weapons to these men has become critical. the key military powers of making clear it could happen, but president obama is hesitant and noncommittal. >> if we wanted to get weapons into libya, we probably could. we are looking at all of our options at this point. it keep in mind what we have accomplished. we have instituted the no-fly zone which can be sustained for quite some time because it is an international effort. >> the possibility that britain might help in arming the rebels is controversy. the foreign secretary was urged to be cautious by many, including fellow conservatives. >> our legal advice says we go
5:37 pm
through all measures to protect civilians, and this is not rule out the provision of assistance to those protecting civilians in certain circumstances. there are differing views internationally about the legal position, but that is the view of the british government. a >> but his labour shadow referred to the american concern that flickers of al qaeda were seen in the libyan revolution. >> would he agree that we must proceed with real caution on the question of armament? >> with colonel gaddafi still in power, britain has moved against its embassy, they have all been expelled. the fire diplomats have been given seven days to leave britain. they were apparently single out as particularly hard line gaddafi supporters, accused of
5:38 pm
intimidating and threatening libyans in britain, especially students involved in opposition demonstrations. but tipping the military balance against colonel gaddafi himself has proven more difficult and devices. these french jets are part of relentless pressure to weaken the military, but the evidence suggests even the use of some of the west's most sophisticated aerial weaponry may not be enough to dislodge the regime. in syria, president bashar outside said people would be happy with what he said in his first speech to parliament. the speech has come and gone, no promise, instead blaming the unrest on a small group of enemies plotting against the country. then shortly after the speech, there was another protest in a port city, with reports of
5:39 pm
gunfire. >> outside the syrian parliament, the president's supporters were out in force. they knew this was a defining moment for him and were not disappointed. president sot made a defiant speech, putting the finger of what he said was outside forces for causing trouble. he hinted at reform, but he did not to set a timetable until the whole package had been scrutinized. >> there are reforms that have not been announced, like the consolidation of national unity. and the fight and battle against corruption, immediate deployment, and will be announced once the studies have been completed. they will be the priorities of
5:40 pm
the new government. >> the question now is how the rest of the country will respond. most of the protesters are pressing for a genuine and speedy reforms, such as the lifting of emergency laws enforced since 1963 and the introduction of multi-party democracy, free press, and judiciary. the focus now is on how far their demands go and how out for the support goes. these may be fed by disillusionment with the president and his ruling baath party lack of urgency. for more on president assad's speech, i am joined by richard murphy, it was the former u.s. ambassador to syria. think ford joining the program. -- thank you for joining the program. the president said there would
5:41 pm
be impending reform, but did not give the reform the wanted to see at a few weeks later he was out of power. that is not the case the caseassad of syria. -- that is not the case with president assad of syria. am i think you are right, he is a person who has popularity. he is counting on both to carry him through. while his spokesperson a few days ago, monday i believe, said there would be a committee formed to study a series of reforms including lifting the emergency law, obviously, thus far the committee has said this is not the moment, given that the government is facing a most serious challenge that it has had since president assad became
5:42 pm
president in 2000. that is the protests and the bloodshed and government crackdowns continue, is there a tipping point or even that regime says enough is enough, we have to give some? >> i think it is possible they will come up with some reforms. he repeated that today. he mentioned in his speech the issue of corruption. that is an issue that has to be confronted and has made the regime increasingly unpopular with the syrian people. things will be changing. how quickly and how sweepingly, it is hard to say at the moment. but that it is fascinating how much u.s. policy has to adapt to each different country. it is almost like a lot cart diplomacy. does that leave the u.s. and a good position or bad position? >> i think it is in a good
5:43 pm
position in that it puts us ready to move in different ways in very different environments. syria is not egypt, is not libya, its relationships in the immediate region, its assertion, all of these are issues that have to be weighed carefully when we assess diplomacy towards syria. >> thank you for your was in sight. >> thank you. there have been more anti- government demonstrations in several major cities, this time around yemen. hundreds of thousands turned out, accusing the government of complicity in an explosion at an ammunitions factory on monday that left 150 people dead. in the ivory coast, forces loyal to the internationally recognized president have captured at cities ivory coast
5:44 pm
main city. it remains largely in the hands of laurent gbagbo, who has refused to step down. former u.s. president jimmy carter has visited alan gross, who was imprisoned and earlier this month for illegally providing internet access to cuban citizens. mr. carter said the authorities have made it clear they do not intend to release him. the woes of the fukushima nuclear plant continue. today, the nuclear safety agency has discovered the highest levels of radiation to date in seawater in neighboring facilities, and at the same time the company and control of the plant has acknowledged four of the six reactors will have to be scrapped, and the company's boss has checked into the hospital with high blood pressure and dizziness.
5:45 pm
>> from the stricken plant it into the sea, radiation is leaking. they don't know how or where exactly at the site is coming from, but the levels are extraordinary. the government insists that the contamination will be diluted as it spreads. this person is not reassured. he farms lands about 120 miles south of the plant. he is trying to salvage his neck, wrecked by the tsunami. the problems further north really worry him. >> we will be in trouble if radiation comes here. we don't just work at sea. we farmers and vegetables, too. we are about to plant are rice. we don't want radiation on it. >> this port has not detect
5:46 pm
radiation yet, but there are concerns it could reach here, being absorbed by the seaweed or the fish. amounts to small to damage human health, but large enough to worry those whose business the fishermen depend on. the biggest problem for a port like this may not be the radiation, but the fear of radiation, especially if it makes people anxious about buying anything that has come out of the sea. this woman says she is eating only the fish he caught before the radiation started leaking. >> i don't know what i will do when the fish runs out. i am also worried about the water and the vegetables. i am more about everything. i just wish things would get back to normal. >> like the others, she carries on, uneasy about the prospects for the weeks ahead, and certain
5:47 pm
still about what risks they are facing. -- uncertain about the risks they are facing. you are watching "bbc world news america." finding success in the united states. one korean immigrant offers his tips on achieving the american dream. ever since the end of the british empire on the indian subcontinent, india and pakistan have been at each other's throats. there is one incarnation of this rivalry that is even more serious is a lot less deadly, called cricket. today, life came to a halt for many arabs in both countries as they watched the world cup semifinal. from the scene in india, we have this report. >> the clamor for the match could be measured in the desperation to get in.
5:48 pm
at gate four, the police had a plan. at times, they seemed part of the problem. authorities have promised a multi tiered approach to security, and we're seeing it. the line at over here is lucky. fans with tickets have been funneled through the metal passages into an area where the to be searched again and whether tickets can be checked. somehow, patients prevailed. the world cup had forced the countries together in a way that many fans were trying to embrace. >> i like india, but i want pakistan to win! >> there are so loving here. we were not expecting that response. the people are very nice. >> noble thoughts, but secure it was everywhere. the reason? politicians. prime ministers of both countries were here to watch and pocket. the stadium itself a venue for a
5:49 pm
dialogue which had stalled after the mumbai attacks. it cricket diplomacy. but in the semifinal, one side must win. this person asked without a care, iraq that start for india. the whole country was desperate for him to make his 100th international century. this player brought in the back, taking five wickets. imn islamabad, the watched on tv like so many others. but the pakistan's batsmen needed to compose himself. he could only make 29. a pakistan came up short. india now reports and prepares for the world cup finals. and you thought this match was big. joining me now is our sports
5:50 pm
journalist. we're not talking about the rules of cricket. let's talk about the crowds. if you measured sporting zeal in terms of numbers, are these kinds of numbers on the subcontinent, in your view, unprecedented? >> they are unprecedented. cricket has grown, and what is more significant is the subcontinent the last 20 years or so has discovered television. this match was probably watched by more than a billion people. having just come back from india, it was being watched on street corners, and there would have been an enormous enthusiasm. at they can now watch it live and watch their heroes live. >> what really struck me in the report, there seemed to be a lot of goodwill amongst supporters who were there. this wason't forget, on the subcontinent that was once united, then got divided
5:51 pm
six years ago. they're members of a family that don't know each other well, that don't quite know what happened in the past. there is a lot of bitter rivalry, but when they come together they suddenly discover they speak the same language, often eat the same foods, often sing the same songs. there is a lot of cultural connections there. >> what we did not see in the report, the prime ministers of both countries were sitting side by side, at cheering for opposite teams. does this kind of if that defused tensions or doesn't fuel them? >> there have been occasions where cricket matches have brought the countries together. we must not overlay the occasion and say this could happen. it was quite significant that the prime minister sat together. they seem to be exchanging
5:52 pm
glances and talk. a i don't know if there were talking about cricket, but this may be a move. in india, that is a lot of feeling that pakistan has not done anything about the atrocities that were inflicted on mumbai in 2008. a pakistan feels very strongly. there is a lot that divides them. if they get talking, at a cricket match like this that to be paid it -- that can be played peacefully, and nancy knew had indian and pakistani flags fly next to each other. -- and at the match you had indian and pakistani flux line next to each other. if that can happen, there is a possibility. over the past few nights, we have tried to define the promise that millions around the globe flock to the united states and whether that promise still holds.
5:53 pm
tonight, the experience through the eyes of one korean immigrant who gave up his first-person account of what the american dream means to him. >> i came to this country with my parents from south korea when i was 7 years old. i remember vividly that the new york mets had just won the world series and ronald reagan was a very popular president at the time. my. -- my parents. much liquidated their assets. there was a small network of korean-americans in new york city. they had an opportunity on the upper east side, a small grocery store that they were able to purchase.
5:54 pm
i think they genuinely believe in the american dream. for anybody. the willpower to come here, with the right capital, they could succeed. my dad was a professional engineer by trade. he wanted me to not just in korea but see the world and be a global leader. he foresaw if i stayed there, it did not matter how wealthy his family got, the opportunities were limited for me. there was not even a moment where my dad wanted me to continue the business. i remember my first day after coming home, he gave me this speech about the american dream. i was playing game boy. he was disappointed i respond, i have no walmart, is the first day of school. he said this is your first day
5:55 pm
of school, and this opens up so many opportunities for your future. it propelled me to spot -- to play sports like football and wrestling team, not conventional things that americans, korean-americans are engaged in. even with politics, it is reaching almost a tipping point. it's just like any other places, korean-americans a waste into -- korean-americans awakened to the possibilities. we're seeing more asians running for office, trying to break that glass ceiling. by learning from different cultures, taking away the best qualities of being corrected and at the same time -- taking with the best qualities of being korean, and other cultures, it is great to be american.
5:56 pm
>> ron kim, describing his experience of assimilating into the united states. find much more of a series on our web sites and why korean american immigrants have had such success and why that path may be out of reach for others. plus, don't forget to tweet us your definition of the american dream. that is all at bbc.com/news. we are also on twitter, and see what we're working on by facebook. from all of us at "bbc world news america," thank you so much for watching. we hope to see you tomorrow.
5:57 pm
>> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold. get the top stories from around the globe and click to play video reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in-depth, expert reporting of "bbc world news" online. >> funding was made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, newman's own foundation, the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation, and union bank. >> union bank has put its global expertise to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you?
5:58 pm
>> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles. >> announcer: an important message from mpt. >> hi, i'm ellie wang, mpt commissioner, and an avid fan of the arts and cultural programs that can only be found on mpt.
5:59 pm
public television opens doors to the richness and diversity of our nation and is offered free to all. please join me in preserving this worthy service. register at 170 million americans.org and stand up with others in support of public tv.

172 Views

info Stream Only

Uploaded by TV Archive on